DAYLIGHTING EFFICIENCY AND VISUAL COMFORT EVALUATION: THE CASE OF OPEN-PLAN HIGHRISE OFFICE BUILDINGS IN ADDIS ABABA

Abstract

Incorporating daylight into buildings has emerged as a crucial strategy for enhancing energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Ethiopia is witnessing a rising trend in office building design that embraces daylighting principles. However, limited research has explored the impacts of daylighting on visual comfort and employee well-being in these settings. This study aims to bridge this gap by examining the daylighting efficiency and visual comfort of an open-plan office building and evaluating their influence on employee well-being and productivity. The research methodology employs a longitudinal study design with participant groups in an office building. The study utilizes a combination of qualitative and quantitative data to investigate daylighting efficiency and the level of visual comfort within the building. The study's findings revealed that occupants of office buildings in Addis Ababa generally expressed satisfaction with the amount of daylight in their workspace. However, concerns regarding glare and discomfort arose, particularly during morning and afternoon hours when the sun's position was low in the sky. Additionally, the study demonstrated that daylighting strategies positively impacted occupant satisfaction with the quantity of light and visual comfort in their workplace. Moreover, daylighting strategies were found to reduce energy consumption in open-plan office buildings. The findings of this study suggest that daylighting can serve as a valuable tool for enhancing the quality of indoor environments, reducing energy consumption, and improving worker productivity. Further research is warranted to identify the most effective methods for utilizing daylighting in office buildings